Lethbridge shelter expansion adds 80 new beds

The expansion for the Lethbridge Shelter has finally opened its doors. The extra capacity will allow more supports for the city's vulnerable population.

After a three-month delay, the newest addition to the Lethbridge Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit is ready to start intake.

The 16,000 square foot addition will increase capacity from 120 to 200.

The project cost just over $5 million, with $4 million coming from the province.

“It’s just so encouraging as far as the support for our members. But all walks of life are welcome here,” said Blood Tribe Department of Health CEO, Derrick Fox. “And (I) just want to say thank you to Lethbridge Housing Authority, the city of that spirit, the province, of course, our chief and council supporting our board of directors.”

Badly needed

The extra capacity is something that’s badly needed.

During the winter months, it’s not uncommon for 250 people to spend the night in the shelter.

A 2022 point in time count showed there were 454 people experiencing homelessness in Lethbridge.

“Wintertime you know -- inclement weather -- we’re challenged at times,” said Fox. “How do we continue to support members when we are seeing kind of the crowdedness.

“This is alleviating some of that,” Fox added, “and further accommodating the guests here at the shelter.”

The new space will allow the shelter’s stabilization unit to run more smoothly.

Safe space

The stabilization unit helps to support addicts on their road to recovery.

Space in the unit often has to be given up due to overcrowding.

“This will provide a safe space, and it will also allow us to keep the stabilization beds open year-round. Because we won’t have to worry about expanded winter space because we’ll have it here. So, it will make a great impact,” said Robin James, CAO of the Lethbridge Housing Authority.

The old shelter space will be turned into offices for supports and programming.

The hope is the new programming options will help clients find permanent housing options and deal with any addictions they might have.

“We don’t want to see people entrenched in encampments in our city. We want people to be able to come into a space where their staff, where they’re warm, where they’re safe, and where their staff here that are going to help them and start them on a path of recovery and on a path of, receiving supports to begin their housing journey,” said James.